Since I am a visual learner, whenever I study the Bible I tend to recall certain movies or songs that relate to what I just read. Such is the case of Shechem who Moses suggests was smitten by love. Yet, in the back on my mind, I was thinking about scenes from the 1994 American romantic drama When a Man Loves a Woman starring Andy Garcia and Meg Ryan.
And Shechem said to his father Hamor, Get me this girl to be my wife. 5 Jacob heard that [Shechem] had defiled Dinah his daughter. Now his sons were with his livestock in the field. So Jacob held his peace until they came. 6 But Hamor father of Shechem went out to Jacob to have a talk with him. 7 When Jacob’s sons heard it, they came from the field; and they were distressed and grieved and very angry, for [Shechem] had done a vile thing to Israel in lying with Jacob’s daughter, which ought not to be done. 8 And Hamor conferred with them, saying, The soul of my son Shechem craves your daughter [and sister]. I beg of you give her to him to be his wife, Genesis 34:4-8.
Although my movie knowledge has declined over the years, When a Man Loves a Woman is one of the best I have ever seen on the topic of alcoholism. The second season of Joan of Arcadia also does a valent job on addressing this issue. Since I had a good friend from high school whose parents and family members struggled with an addiction to alcohol, bystanders often feel helpless on what to do.
And the young man did not delay to do the thing, for he delighted in Jacob’s daughter. He was honored above all his family [so, ranking first, he acted first]. 20 Then Hamor and Shechem his son came to the gate of their [enclosed] town and discussed the matter with the citizens, saying, 21 These men are peaceable with us; so let them dwell in the land and trade in it; for the land is large enough [for us and] for them; let us take their daughters for wives and let us give them our daughters. 22 But the men will consent to our request that they live among us and be one people only on condition that every male among us be circumcised, as they are. 23 Shall not their cattle and their possessions and all their beasts be ours? Only let us consent to them, and they will dwell here with us. 24 And all the people who went out of the town gate listened and heeded what Hamor and Shechem said; and every male was circumcised who was a resident of that town, Genesis 34:19-24.
Nonetheless, Shechem was so head over heels for Dinah, he was willing to become circumcised as an adult and force his entire male family members to follow his lead. Love makes people do crazy things like my friend from Delaware who converted to Mormonism just to marry his high school sweetheart. Whatever love persuades you to do in the future, make sure you don’t compromise your values as well as your personal relationship with Jesus, Romans 10:9-11.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 